Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2013 Cadillac Escalade EsvRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2013 Cadillac Escalade Esv. Most complaints involve engine (1) and engine and engine cooling (1). The EPA rates it 14–16 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
14–16mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Feb 2021
Owner complaints
2
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Remedy pending

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."

Air bagsReported Feb 5, 2021NHTSA 21V053000

Air bags: inflator module

Remedy pending

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Feb 5, 2021NHTSA 21V054000

Electrical system

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.

Electrical systemReported Oct 1, 2014NHTSA 14V614000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2014 – Oct 2023
  1. Engine1
  2. Engine and engine cooling1
  3. Electrical system1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Escalade Esv model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200396
200491
200557
200624
2008167
200964
201042
201162
201223
20132
2015106
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

1 report
“The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to switch into V-8 mode. The contact stated that the engine started making an abnormal knocking sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the lifters had collapsed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the camshaft needed to be replaced. There was no further information provided. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2023Engine, Engine and engine coolingODI 11549324

Engine and engine cooling

1 report

Electrical system

1 report
“2013 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE KEY IGNITION PROBLEM. *SMD”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2014Electrical systemODI 10595108
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
6.2L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Escalade ESV 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141816$3,900570
Escalade ESV AWD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L · All-Wheel Drive
131814$4,450612
  • Escalade ESV 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Escalade ESV AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV RWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
23.7%
Overall
4 / 5
Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
23.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 7085Vehicle 7084
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 Escalade Esv questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Cadillac Escalade Esv have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2013 Cadillac Escalade Esv problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (1), engine and engine cooling (1), electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Cadillac Escalade Esv get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Cadillac Escalade Esv at 14–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Cadillac Escalade Esv?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Cadillac Escalade Esv 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026